Paraguay have gotten off to a very unbalanced start in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying as they sit sixth and out of the 2022 World Cup. The talented squad will look to find their shape and consistency in the 2021 Copa America.
Among the 28-man roster selected by Eduardo Berizzo, one of the players to watch is former Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón, who is due a breakout tournament. The talented midfielder has shown glimpses of what he can be in England and in MLS, but now needs to become a leader on his national team.
Rounding out the squad are the Romero brothers, Oscar and Angel, who despite their talents are controversial figures at their Argentine club, San Lorenzo. Here is the complete list of players for Paraguay in the Copa America.
Paraguay 2021 Copa America Squad
Goalkeepers: Antony Silva (Puebla – Mexico), Alfredo Aguilar (Olimpia – Paraguay), Gerardo Ortiz (Once Caldas – Colombia).
Defenders: Robert Rojas (River Plate – Argentina), David Martínez (River Plate – Argentina), Omar Alderete (Hertha Berlin – Germany), Fabián Balbuena (West Ham – England), Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras – Brazil), Júnior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro – Brazil), Alberto Espínola (Cerro Porteño – Paraguay), Santiago Arzamendia (Cerro Porteño – Paraguay).
Midfielders: Richard Sánchez (América – México), Gastón Giménez (Chicago Fire – USA), Andrés Cubas (Nimes -France), Óscar Romero (San Lorenzo – Argentina), Robert Piris Da Motta (Gençlerbirligi – Turkey), Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Al Taouwon – Saudi Arabia), Ángel Cardozo Lucena (Cerro Porteño – Paraguay), Mathías Villasanti (Cerro Porteño – Paraguay), Braian Ojeda (Olimpia – Paraguay), Jorge Morel (Guaraní).
Forwards: Ángel Romero (San Lorenzo – Argentina), Carlos González (Tigres – México), Braian Samudio (Rizespor – Turkey), Miguel Almirón (Newcastle – England), Julio Enciso (Libertad – Paraguay), Antonio Bareiro (Libertad – Paraguay) y Gabriel Ávalos (Argentinos Juniors – Argentina).
Paraguay will be in Group A with Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. The Paraguayan’s will make their debut against Bolivia on Monday on June 14th. Despite the talent in the squad Paraguay have not won a match since October of 2020 and are fresh off of a 0-0 draw against Uruguay.